The Lagos State Government has approved two significant legislative proposals aimed at strengthening land administration and formalizing marriage registration processes, as part of broader reforms to enhance governance, legal transparency, and justice delivery in the state.
Speaking during a ministerial press briefing commemorating the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, announced that one of the newly approved bills seeks to establish a Lis Pendens Registry. This registry will document ongoing land-related litigation to protect prospective buyers and the general public from unknowingly transacting in disputed properties.
In a further move to formalize civil processes, the second bill proposes the creation of a Marriage and Dissolution Registry, which will be responsible for registering all forms of marriages and issuing official certificates across Lagos State.
Mr. Pedro also disclosed that an amendment to the 2016 Tenancy Law is in progress. The revised legislation aims to address concerns about arbitrary rent increases and expedite the resolution of tenancy-related disputes through clearer legal frameworks and improved court processes.
Highlighting challenges in the state’s criminal justice system, he noted that custodial centers in Lagos are currently operating beyond capacity. Areas such as Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki were identified as leading crime hotspots contributing to overcrowding in detention facilities.
As part of efforts to enhance accountability and judicial efficiency, the Justice Ministry has developed a harmonised bill on sexual and domestic violence to consolidate and strengthen legal protections for victims. In addition, the state has launched a Digital Lagos Criminal Information System, designed to digitize and streamline the tracking of criminal cases across courts.
These initiatives underscore the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to legal reform, citizen protection, and the modernization of governance infrastructure in Africa’s largest city.